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Floreat Athena Description: The Athena Club was founded in 1952 and represented a meeting place for the existing Greek community of Perth and for new immigrants coming from Greece to settle in Australia. As with most ethnic groups of European origin, the sporting interest was football (soccer) and it was soon after in 1953 that the club entered a team into the third division. In 1960 the Soccer Federation of Western Australia (SFWA) took over from the Western Australian Soccer Football Association (WASFA) which had previously existed from 1896. The league consisted of just eight strong clubs. Coincidentally, it was in 1960 that Athena were promoted and played their first season in the State League, finishing sixth and maintaining its status in the top flight. The club reached third place four more times before winning its second premiership title in 1988 under coach Ken Worden. A strong impression was left in the late eighties finishing second in 1989, 1991 and 1993 and third in 1990 and 1994. In 1997 Floreat Athena won its third under coach Jim Pyraglios, and finished a creditable third in 2001 and second in 2002. The breakthrough year of 2007 became another mark in history for club when it brushed aside all opposition to complete an undefeated league season under the guidance of former Floreat player, Michael Roki - a feat performed by only four teams in the top flight history. It is important to note that in 1989 a decision was made by the federation to change from the common practice around the world by making the top-four winner the league champion. In the subsequent three years of 1989, 1990 and 1991, Athena topped the table after each season, but stumbled at the final hurdle losing the top-four cup to major rival of the late 1980's / early 1990's Perth Italia on all three occasions. After three years in succession of being the bridesmaid's, the league thought it be best to return to normal policy and adopted the first past the post system from 1992 onwards. In real terms this would give Floreat Athena six premierships rather than the reported three. In addition to the premierships won, Floreat has managed to hold the winners trophy aloft on four occasions for the Night Series and on another four occasions for the Cup Competition. The late eighties and early nineties has been the golden era for Floreat but in truth the club has never really been too far off the pace. The treble in 1997 obviously showed the club still to be a force to be reckoned with and an excellent result in 2001 proved that yet again. The young squad assembled in 2004 has grown to become an undefeated premiership team in 2007, and there is a positive outlook for the next few years at least. The new era of football in Western Australia is currently taking shape under the guidance of the newly formed FootballWest and all things being equal, Floreat Athena will continue to have a major presence in soccer in this state in the foreseeable future. Address: Western Australia Contact Details: Phone: +61 (8) 9242 1132 Location: Categories: Also listed in:  soccer clubs » Western Australia |
